Oct 28, Bournemouth, U.K. – A new study that examines the rate of patient withdrawal from treatment as a result of disclosure of possible risks associated with manipulation of the cervical spine suggests that fear of this occurring is unfounded.

Authors Jennifer Lanworthy and Lianne Forrest of the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic in Great Britain report in Chiropractic and Osteopathy, 2010, 18:27, (published on October 26, 2010), that although quantifying the actual level of risk from cervical spine manipulation has yet to be accomplished, it is an infringement on patient autonomy, and to the process of informed consent, to withhold disclosure of the possibility of such a risk existing. The authors observe that although chiropractors acknowledge that they have a moral and ethical responsibility to allow their patients to give full informed consent, there seems to exist a fear, amongst DCs, of disclosing risks associated with cervical manipulation lest the patient should withdraw from treatment out of unfounded alarm.

The authors administered a survey to a number of DCs in order to evaluate risk disclosure philosophy, patterns and methodology.  The results of the survey demonstrated that a very miniscule number of patients withdrew from treatment as a result of having risks associated with cervical spine manipulation explained to them.  The authors conclude that, based on these findings, the fear of losing patients as a result of full disclosure of risks associated with cervical manipulation is unfounded. 

For access to the article in full, please visit http://www.chiroandosteo.com/content/pdf/1746-1340-18-27.pdf